Services

Burglar jailed over threat to stab grandmother

A BURGLAR has been jailed for a break-in where he threatened to stab a grandmother in her bed.

Mark Haddock, of Harlech Close, Banbury, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary on Wednesday at Oxford Crown Court.

The 34-year-old father-of-three broke into a house in Sanford Green, Banbury, on July 29 wearing a tea towel over his face as a mask.

Gary Venturi, prosecuting, said Lesley Allen was asleep in bed next to her 13-year-old granddaughter when she was woken by Haddock.

He told Judge Patrick Eccles that Haddock appeared in her bedroom doorway and said: “If you don’t give me money now I’ll stab you,”

Mr Venturi said both victims were “petrified” and Mrs Allen started screaming out for someone to call the police, which caused Haddock to run out. Before he escaped Haddock stole a £50 watch, credit card, passport, tobacco and left his fingerprints on a plastic money bottle, Mr Venturi said.

Lee Bennett, of Harrowby Road, Banbury, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods after his prints were also found on the same money bottle.

Mr Venturi said Haddock has 14 convictions for 37 offences, while Bennett has 66 convictions for 136 offences.

Passing sentence Judge Eccles told Haddock he took into account that last year he lost his wife in tragic circumstances, which ended a long period when he had stayed out of trouble.

But he said the offence was aggravated by the use of threats and the presence of children in the house and gave him three-and-a-half years in prison.

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here